Celebrate success in peace. What is that all about?
It may sound like a made-up phrase, but I have been doing it for almost 20 years. What is it? To me, it is a celebration of life and accomplishments. It is about mentally closing the door on one goal and starting a new goal. It is reflecting on the hard work that just transpired and refocusing on a new goal. It’s about taking time out of your day to feel the sun, smell the air, and appreciate this unbelievable gift called life. We are so lucky to have the opportunity to live. Why not celebrate your success in peace?
How did it begin?
Well the first time I did it was back in 2001 when I graduated Nuclear Power school in the Navy. This, by far, was and still is the hardest thing I have ever done. I don’t know how I made it through, but I did. I literally had to focus all of my energy on getting through this school. When you went to Nuke school, if you graduated, you were considered the brightest the navy had to offer.
We sat in a classroom with no windows from 8 am to almost 3 pm.
I remember sitting next to a guy who was so smart he really didn’t pay attention. Out of boredom, he would spend his time tracking the sun. He would let us know exactly where the sun was during the breaks. I honestly didn’t know where to begin with tracking the sun. I do know this – I had to get up at 4:50 am in the morning just so I could get to school by 5 am. I studied right up until class started and then stayed there until 5 pm every. single. night.
On Saturday’s and Sunday’s, I would get up at the same time and study until 2 pm. Needless to say, I didn’t exercise, and I didn’t eat right. I gained so much weight during that time period. But I did it…. I passed……barely. I am not ashamed to admit it.
After graduating, my friend Alton and I decided to go sit by a small lake near our apartment to smoke a cigar and reflect on what we had accomplished. I held on to this tradition and to this day I celebrate small and large successes with a hike, a cigar, and some wine.
For your mental health you should do this.
The other thing about stopping to reflect is that it gives you time to focus on what you want to accomplish next. It gives you time to think about what it is that you want. It gives you time to figure out what is really important to you. I take time out of my busy life to set new goals and think about improvements I want to make now and in the future. I step back and push pause. What I have found is that the more goals I accomplish, the easier it is to accomplish other goals.
How will you celebrate success in peace? What will you celebrate when you stop to reflect on your life? Will you celebrate paying off your debt? Investing the amount of money you want to invest? Spending more time with your children to establish a bigger connection? Spending more time with your spouse and being more present? Making work more enjoyable so that you don’t hate Monday mornings anymore? Losing that last ten pounds and feeling healthier than ever?
It all starts with a budget.
Once you get your budget right, it gives you more room to explore other things and accomplish more goals.
I will celebrate making work more enjoyable so that I don’t hate Monday mornings anymore. That is the goal I’ll be pushing toward this year. Wish me luck!