Being Enough Right Where You Are!

Being Enough Right Where You Are: Celebrating yourself for personal and professional well-being

Author: Jamila A. Brown (Co-Founder of The 5 Minute Career Hack)

I have been recently training for a 10k where I will run approximately 2/3 of the race. I have trained to walk a 10k in the last few years, but this is the first time that I will run most of the race. Anyone that knows me, or that I played ball with me in college, and my college coach knows that I have always hated distance running. Add ACL surgeries and aching knees to the mix at 45 years old, distance running is the last thing that I want to do.

As I close out the last week of preparation, I hit 14:28 (mins) per mile outdoors (which is harder for me than being indoors on the treadmill). I was so pumped up after I finished 5 miles. I immediately began to state all the reasons why I was proud of myself to my workout buddy. Now she is dusting me at around 12:30 (mins) per mile on the same day at age 55. She was completely frustrated that her time wasn't faster, and I was having an all-out praise moment. When I was done with my praise moment that is, I told her, "You are probably in the top 1-5% of the population in your demographic, if you need to compare." But for her it is always about beating herself which I subscribe to and endorse.

I then told her, "You give me hope that I will continue to get better each year and run 12:30 (mins) at age 55. If I don’t and it is 14:28 at age 55 (running or walking 2/3 of the race) I will still be elated and find so much joy and satisfaction in completion.

I am one of the most competitive people that I know, but what I have learned over the last 5 years or so is to celebrate what seems small, to celebrate what appears to be nothing compared to others, to celebrate just because I did it in whatever manner I could.

I woke up today, I did it, and I am so proud of myself.

Even typing those words makes me feel so amazing on the inside. Do I strive to improve, absolutely, every day: ask my business partners, my players that I coach, and my family and friends. For my overall well-being though I must celebrate each day, each thing that I get to do on this earth, and genuinely enjoy the celebration. 

In today's world, it's easy to get caught up in the hustle culture, work harder, and lose sight of who we are and what we've accomplished. We often focus on the things we don't have or the things we haven't achieved yet, leading to a feeling of inadequacy and a lack of fulfillment.

It's important to take a step back and realize that we are enough right where we are, just the way we are. That doesn’t mean you cannot work for more and want more, it just means that you deserve and most importantly you need 30-60 second celebrations throughout your day.

Importance of Celebrating Yourself:

Studies have shown that taking the time to celebrate our achievements and acknowledging ourselves for our hard work and accomplishments can positively impact our mental health and overall well-being. When we affirm ourselves, we build self-confidence and self-esteem, which can lead to greater success in both our personal and professional lives.

Common Mistakes People Make:

1. Playing the comparison game. Looking to the left, right, or in front of you on social media and comparing yourself to someone you know or don’t know is a happiness killer. Your journey cannot be their journey and their journey cannot be yours. It’s simply not possible.
2. Looking for happiness in future accomplishments. Delaying your sense of happiness for a destination or accomplishment in the future robs you of the joy and happiness you could experience right now.

Steps to Prioritize Affirming Yourself:

1. Practice Gratitude: Start your day with gratitude and take a few moments throughout the day to recognize the small things. Those things that we often take for granted until we are faced with life-or-death situations. Don’t wait to be grateful. This is an instantaneous boost to your mood and outlook.
2. Celebrate & Celebrate Often: Take time to acknowledge your accomplishments, no matter how small they may be. Write them down or share them with someone you trust. Celebrating your wins can help build self-confidence and self-esteem.
3. Focus on Self-Improvement: A little bit better every day, even 1% goes a long way over the course of a year, 5 years, 10 years. Instead of comparing yourself to others, focus on improving yourself. Celebrate your progress along the way, no matter how small. Build in your rewards along the way, they will truly help you enjoy the journey versus fixating on happiness at the destination. 

I am by no means a master of being in the moment and finding happiness in the moment; however, I am at least getting +1% better each day at celebrating and enjoying moments. This has been one of the most powerful and impactful practices that I have started in my life, will you join me?

P.S. I finished the race at 13:12 (mins) per mile! Currently still celebrating :)