Many moons ago, I took a six-month program called The Beauty Way with the late, great Elaine Jaynes. It was based on a Native American body of work anchored in the Four Directions. In this tradition, each direction corresponds with a season:

• The East represents Spring—the dawning of the new. This is where birth, idea generation, and innovation live.
• The South represents Summer—a time of action and production. We make hay while the sun shines.
• The West represents Fall—a season of reflection and celebration. We celebrate the fruits of our labor, have Thanksgiving, and reflect on our journey.
• The North represents Winter—a time of dormancy, rest, and rejuvenation.

This is a perpetual cycle, not only in nature but in life. And in this tradition, it’s important that we honor every season to maintain balance and abundance.

But in our Western culture, we mostly bounce between Spring and Summer—idea to action to the next idea and the next action. If we spend time in Fall, it’s often focused on what we should have done better or what we need to fix next time—not on true celebration.

In many organizations, the meeting held after a project is often called a post-mortem, which literally means “examining a dead body for the cause of death”, for goodness’ sake!

Celebration is rare. Sure, we mark big milestones like birthdays, anniversaries, and major product launches. But everyday wins? Not so much. And rest and rejuvenation? Hardly. We rarely spend a lot of time resting and recharging before we plow into the next thing. We think it’s indulgent instead of necessary for a healthy eco-system.

When we skip or skimp on a direction, it impacts our experience dramatically—which, in turn, affects our performance.

This is why I always take a strong stand for celebration and appreciation. Not only is it fun, but it’s also a tremendous energetic gas tank filler-upper.

At the beginning of every coaching session, I ask:
“What do you want to celebrate today?”

When I first start working with someone, this question can feel awkward. They often try to breeze past it:
“Oh, I can’t think of anything to celebrate. Let’s jump into this problem I’m having.”

Don’t worry—I don’t let them off that easy.

When I press them, I often hear things like:
“I’m still kicking.”
“I made it here.”

Seriously. This is especially common with the high-achieving leaders I work with. That’s how atrophied this muscle is. You and I both know these folks have tons they could celebrate, but they’re just not used to turning their attention there.

Over time, I help my clients build this muscle. A few months in, they start coming to sessions with three, four, even five things to celebrate. They’re on fire. Their desire and commitment to their work skyrockets.

Many leaders have told me that when we first started working together, they thought my question—“What do you want to celebrate today?”—was indulgent, braggadocios, or unnecessary. It felt like a detour from the “real” work.

But they later shared that building this muscle was one of the most impactful parts of our work together. They began asking the same question in their 1:1s and team meetings—and saw significant improvements in morale.

In organizations I work with that adopt this practice in their meetings and culture, there’s a marked increase in performance, retention, and—quite frankly—joy. It shifts the whole vibe. It’s a game changer.

So, I encourage you to start celebrating everyday wins—with your clients, your team, your partners, and your family.

Here’s something beautiful: when you hold space for other people’s celebrations, your own energetic gas tank fills up. Practicing this regularly helps keep your tank full. And don’t forget to take time to celebrate your own wins—no matter how small. Find people who will joyfully hold that space for you, too.

One thing I adore about this practice is how it reminds us that there is so much good in the world.

I celebrate you for taking the time to read this, and I hope it brightens your day.
As always, I would love to hear from you. Leave a comment below and tell me:

What do you do to celebrate everyday wins in your life?