Take this offline
Before you keep scrolling, grab a piece of paper (or open that notebook you’ve been meaning to use) and write down three small things you’ve done lately that deserve a little more credit. No accomplishment is too small. Write them down. Keep the list going. Come back to it when you need the reminder.
We all have those big, lofty goals: Land the dream client / Finally launch that new offer / Hit a huge revenue milestone / Tame the terrifying inbox that haunts you in your sleep. Those things matter and it’s incredibly important to have “stretch goals” and big milestones to reach for. But happiness doesn’t magically show up once your wildest goals are achieved.
It doesn’t only come from a smooth new launch or a dramatic transformation. More often than not, happiness arrives quietly, in small moments that could easily be overlooked. And those micro joys aren’t insignificant. Not by a long shot. In fact, it’s the smallest joys that usually add up to our biggest wins. And what better time than now to step back and celebrate the little things?
When you achieve something – literally anything that feels meaningful – your brain rewards you with a hit of dopamine.
Dopamine is a chemical neurotransmitter responsible for communicating motivation and pleasure to your central nervous system.
So, really, you could even think of it as an instant mini celebration, a little internal “you did it!” party.
And the cool thing is that because a burst of dopamine can increase motivation, improve focus, and lower mental resistance to the next task, even tiny accomplishments can make the rest of your to-do list feel lighter and more doable.
All of a sudden celebrating the little things isn’t silly, it’s a scientifically proven way to get more done. (And entrepreneurs can always use more of that energy, right?!)
So what actually counts as a “small joy?”
It’s truly anything that moves the needle, even the littlest bit.
Anything that restores energy or creates momentum. Things that make you feel proud, relieved, grounded, or clear (even for a very brief amount of time) count as a small joy.
For example:
Those ALL count.
But, honestly, when was the last time you stopped to appreciate any of those things?
If you’re anything like me, you might even see those things as expectations or just something you’re “supposed” to push through without pause.
A small joy can be any moment that reminds you you’re capable, making progress, and doing your best.
And when you put it that way, it feels silly not to celebrate them, doesn’t it?
There’s magic in acknowledging your progress “out loud.” You could tell someone else or simply write it down.
I keep a notebook specifically for my “wins.”
Once a week, I review my calendar, conversations, and projects, and add anything that feels meaningful. My rule is that nothing is too small. If it felt memorable to me, it belongs in the notebook.
I just went through my notebook and picked out a few of my fav small joys from this year:
→ A client replied to a first brand identity proof with: “You have an amazing gift!”
→ My design team completed a large packaging project without issue while I was on a 2-week vacation in Kenya.
→ I trusted my gut and referred a potential client to another designer because I knew they’d be a better fit elsewhere.
→ I took several days off in the middle of the week last month and still made a living.
→ I had a discovery call that felt natural and left me feeling knowledgeable and confident.
These moments are fuel. Evidence. Proof that the work we’re doing – big and little – matters.
Big goals are less intimidating when you chop them into small, doable steps.
→ It’s not “rebuild my website” → but “write homepage intro copy.”
→ It’s not “grow my audience” → but “share one helpful post this week.”
Every tiny step deserves recognition and I try to remember that “practice makes perfect” is a toxic mindset…
Progress is the real marker of success.
Micro wins are often the exact opposite of perfectionism. They say that effort matters, showing up counts, and “done is beautiful.”
And on those days when nothing seems to be working, flip back through your wins. Let past evidence remind you that you’re capable and you’ve done hard things before.
As the year moves forward, I hope you don’t just tally revenue or project stats. Instead, maybe you tally the moments that made you proud, brave, stretched, or fulfilled.
These small joys are the foundation that big wins are built on.
So as the year unfolds, give yourself this challenge:
→ Notice the small joys.
→ Celebrate the little things
→ Let every moment of progress mean something.
Because the secret to big success isn’t waiting for the giant leap, it’s honoring every tiny step that gets you there.
Cheers to you and your small joys!
We believe there’s value in staying curious, in making space, in following an idea that doesn’t have an obvious purpose and in choosing slow and sustainable over constantly doing more.
