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Peace be with you.

Happy Monday!

I’m starting this episode by asking for help. If you find any value in this podcast, please share it with someone who may also find value in it. This is week 16 of the podcast, and the numbers show that it’s struggling to find an audience. Without evidence that I can reach the people who appreciate a weekly reminder that mindset makes a difference, I may have to let it go.

Even just two new listeners in the next week would feel like a small win. Not ironically, that’s what today’s episode is about: celebrating the small wins.

Whether you’re building a business, trying to stay motivated to eat healthy and workout, or trying to feel like you’re marching through life instead of trudging through it, one thing always helps: recognizing and celebrating each milestone.

Did you make your first dollar on that new idea? Celebrate!

Did you lose a pound this month? Get excited!

Did you get through a tough day without taking your frustration out on another soul? Pat yourself on the back.

We all have our tough days when we wake up wishing we were somewhere else. -- tired of adulting, tired of making decisions that affect others, tired of doing the same thing over and over without seeing improvement.

It’s easy to feel like you’re on a hamster wheel or stuck in a rut when day-to-day life isn’t living up to the expectations that your childhood dreams or Hollywood’s imagery painted.

Every day life is what most of our time consists of. So, let’s talk about how to change our perspective.

Part of mindset work is practicing mindfulness and being present in the here and now. It’s good to set goals and work toward them, but don’t make that destination the be all, end all.

The journey matters just as much.

In Walden, Henry David Thoreau said, “If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them.” This is one of my favorite quotes for many reasons.

We all tend to imagine how life will be when we reach our big goal, but then we feel bogged down while working toward it.

Don’t wait until you reach your castle to celebrate. Take a moment to enjoy each accomplishment as a solid brick in your foundation.

That first dollar in revenue brings you a step closer to turning a profit.

That first pound lost means you’re on your way to 10.

That day when you find yourself giving others the grace you wish they’d give you means you’ve grown as a human.

We’re all building different castles in the air, so success will look different for each of us, but every single one of us will face challenges as we build. And believe me, being persistent in working toward your goal even in the face of challenge is worth celebrating.

As a very personal example, my goal with this podcast is to help spread positivity in a world that thrives on negativity. And I have a few listeners who download or watch every episode. Every week, I celebrate them. Every download is a small win – a brick in the foundation of that goal.

My challenge is tied up in the word “spread.” When the download numbers stagnate, the spreading stops. The foundation can’t reach the castle, which is why I’m asking for help in building this podcast.

And I’m reminding you that it’s okay to ask for help when you face your own challenges in your own construction process. Ask for help and lend a hand. When we work together, we can help each other create some pretty amazing things.

My challenge to you this week is to identify one small win you’ve achieved and celebrate it.  

Go forth and keep building!

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