“Breaking big dreams into small steps is the way to
move forward.”
~ Sheryl Sandberg
I was in my early
fifties when I seriously began my writing journey. Writing was a life-long
dream, but doubts lingered. What if I don’t have what it takes? What if I’m
not good enough?
As a teenager, I
had some poems and stories published in the Western Producer’s “Young
Cooperators Club.” But before long, I became preoccupied with other things and didn’t
pursue my passion again until midlife. My first query letter went to the
“Farmlife” editor of Grainews. To my astonishment, she called to
encourage me to send in my story. I worked hard on it for several weeks and
submitted it before the deadline. She accepted it for publication! Celebrate,
celebrate, dance to the music!
Since then, I’ve
progressed step by step in my writing, publishing articles, short stories, and
poems in various publications. I’ve received writing awards and the Barnabas
Fellowship from InScribe, published stories in two of their anthologies,
presented workshops at their conferences, and served as the columns editor and
editor-in-chief of their FellowScript magazine. Two novels and a
collection of my published writing are current works in progress.
Thomas Carlyle
said, “Nothing builds self-esteem and self-confidence like accomplishment.” Each
small step taken in my writing journey boosts my courage, and each successful
step forward earns me the right to celebrate. So I give myself permission to do
my little victory dance! It’s something I’d highly recommend. But if you have
two left feet, here are a few other ways to celebrate success:
Celebrate your success with a commemoration. Commemorate your
published work, positive reviews, and writing awards in some way. Frame that
book cover or writing award and hang it on your wall; print out that admiring
email from a fan and keep it in your journal; place that favourable review alongside
your piece in your writing portfolio and post it on your website. These commemorations
remind you of your successes and boost your confidence whenever you become
discouraged or feel like a failure.
Celebrate your success with others. Share your success
stories with family, friends, and the larger writing community. Call or email
them, post announcements on your website, or share the news with your followers
on social media or through newsletters. Don’t forget to thank those who’ve
supported you along the way. Take them out for dinner or throw a celebration party.
Celebrate your success with someone else’s
creation. Replenish your creative energy by enjoying someone else’s creation.
Read a favourite author’s novel, watch a favourite movie, or gorge on a
favourite bakery’s confection. Go ahead, don’t feel guilty. You’ve earned it!
Celebrate your success with a present to
yourself. Gift yourself with anything your little heart desires, but you might
want to consider something that provides physical benefits as ours is a
sedentary profession. It doesn’t have to be expensive—a good pair of running
shoes, a few free weights, an exercise band, or registering for a Zumba class. A
special treat might be a visit to a spa or a massage for your aching back.
Celebrate your success with God. Remember to thank God
for every blessing: a friend’s email that encouraged you not to quit when you
were feeling discouraged, the devotional that lifted you up when you were
feeling down, or the Bible verse that helped you speak to the hearts of both
saints and sinners. No matter how small each day’s gift, keep a gratitude
journal and write it down. This practice helps you maintain a positive attitude
and demonstrates your faith and trust in God’s plan for your life.
Celebrating your
success will refresh you mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually and
provide fresh perspectives to help spur you on to even greater success.
