Becoming Your Own Cheerleader — How to Celebrate Your Growth Without Guilt
- Deborah Ann Martin
- Nov 9
- 4 min read
Updated: Nov 11
For a long time, I used to think success only counted when it was something big—something everyone could see. I thought I had to make huge changes, hit massive goals, and get everything right the first time. But every time I aimed too high, I ended up disappointed.
Then I learned about SMART goals, and everything changed.
SMART stands for:
S – Specific
M – Measurable
A – Achievable
R – Realistic
T – Time-bound
Those five words became my roadmap for setting goals that actually worked.
The Power of Small Wins
Instead of setting one giant, overwhelming goal, I started breaking my big dreams into smaller ones. Every time I reached a small goal, I let myself celebrate. It might have looked tiny to someone else, but to me, it was proof that I was capable.
If I couldn’t walk fifteen minutes straight, I told myself, “Okay, then I’ll do three five-minute walks.” I still reached the total time I wanted, just in a way that fit my life.
Each small victory gave me confidence for the next step.
And the best part? One day, I looked back and realized that all those little victories had quietly added up to something huge. I had accomplished the big goal after all—one piece at a time.
Why We Struggle to Celebrate Ourselves
Most of us are great at cheering for others but hesitant to cheer for ourselves. We downplay our progress because we think it’s not enough or we don’t want to seem proud. But self-celebration isn’t arrogance; it’s acknowledgment.
When you clap for yourself, you remind your mind that effort matters. You train your brain to associate progress with joy, not pressure.
Redefining Success on Your Terms
Success isn’t about matching someone else’s pace. It’s about building steady, meaningful progress that fits your life.
If a step feels too big, make it smaller. If a goal stops fitting, adjust it. SMART goals aren’t about perfection—they’re about momentum.
For me, celebrating those smaller moments taught me patience. I learned that self-improvement isn’t a race; it’s a relationship. The more I encouraged myself, the more I wanted to keep going.
How to Be Your Own Cheerleader
Write goals that excite you. If you don’t care about them, you won’t stick with them.
Break big goals into steps you can see and measure. Small progress is still progress.
Celebrate every milestone. Treat yourself to something simple—a nap, a movie, a special coffee.
Keep a “Done List.” At the end of each week, write what you accomplished.
Speak kindly to yourself. Replace “I only did this much” with “I did this much today!”
Be flexible. If life changes your plan, change the path, not the purpose.
Share your wins. Tell a friend or journal about them—seeing progress in words makes it real.
Remember your why. Keep reminding yourself of the reason behind your goal.
Avoid comparing timelines. Your journey is not a competition.
Reflect monthly. Look back at how far you’ve come, not just how far you still want to go.
Faith and Motivation
My faith reminds me that progress is sacred. God doesn’t measure us by how quickly we reach the finish line but by how faithfully we keep showing up.
When I set small, realistic goals and celebrate along the way, I honor the person I’m becoming, not just the one I hope to be. Each small step is a prayer of gratitude in motion.
What You Can Try Today
Write down one big goal and break it into three small steps.
Complete the first step this week, no matter how small.
Celebrate your success when you finish—it matters.
Tell a friend or journal how it felt to accomplish it.
Keep a daily log of small wins; you’ll be amazed how they add up.
Create a reminder: “Progress, not perfection.”
Adjust any goal that feels too heavy.
Schedule a “cheer-for-me” moment at the end of the week.
Say out loud, “I’m proud of myself.”
Thank God for your effort, not just your results.
Final Thoughts
Becoming your own cheerleader isn’t about pretending life is perfect. It’s about recognizing that you’re still moving forward, even on hard days.
When you celebrate the small steps, you give yourself the courage to keep walking. And one day, without even realizing it, you’ll look back and see how far those tiny victories have carried you.
Pat yourself on the back. You’ve earned it.
♥
Support on Your Journey
If you’d like connection and encouragement, I invite you to become part of the survivinglifelessons community groups where we share openly, support one another, and walk this journey together. You don’t have to do this alone.
Also, if you ever need someone to talk with —just a friendly ear, not a counselor —check out our Neighbor Chat service. This is a place where people listen, share, and connect about whatever topic is on your mind every day. Because sometimes all you need is to simply be heard.
So here’s to you—the person showing up for themselves, step by step. Here’s to the friend you are becoming to yourself. The journey won’t always be easy. But it will always be worth it. And I’ll be cheering you on every step of the way.
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