Celebrating Achievements

The Power of Small Wins

Napoleon Hill wrote: "Happiness comes from the achievement of a difficult task that demanded our best." When we celebrate achievements—even small ones—we reinforce the behaviors that lead to success.

In prison, where time moves slowly and release may seem distant, celebrating small wins becomes essential for maintaining motivation. Each book read, each course completed, each disciplinary-free month is an achievement worth recognizing.

Building Momentum

Success builds on success. When you celebrate an achievement, you:

• Reinforce the positive behavior
• Build confidence for the next challenge
• Create evidence of your progress
• Motivate yourself to continue

Like a snowball rolling downhill, small achievements gather size and momentum. Start with small goals you can achieve quickly, then build toward larger ones.

Documenting Achievements

Keep a record of your achievements:

• Education: Courses completed, certificates earned, books read
• Character development: New skills developed, habits changed
• Relationships: Connections maintained, support network built
• Service: People helped, contributions made

This record serves multiple purposes. It shows your growth to others—parole boards, family members, potential employers. It also reminds you of how far you've come when discouragement strikes.

The Ten-Ten-Ten Framework

Suzy Welch developed a decision-making framework that applies here. Before making any choice, consider:

• How will this decision affect me in ten minutes?
• How will this decision affect me in ten months?
• How will this decision affect me in ten years?

This framework helps you see how today's small achievements connect to long-term success. Each good decision today creates opportunities for celebration tomorrow.