Transformation Toolbox Episode 5: Tools for Mastering Accomplishment

Accomplishments are what we create for ourselves through attempting, engaging, and trying something, anything, apart from what we already know how to do. They can also come from completing projects or tasks we or others have set for ourselves. The goals you set to accomplish are unique to you, not to be compared to others’ goals and accomplishments. It is about your own personal best or performance over time. The goals you create in life do not necessarily have to be long-term or have a high bar. You can accomplish the completion of tasks in a day, and not everything has to be perfect, right or the best; we learn over time.

Goals attained, whether large or small, feed into feelings of self-efficacy, motivation, and resilience. Feeling a sense of accomplishment can boost self-esteem, increase life satisfaction, and contribute to overall mental health.

Tools to Feel a Sense of Accomplishment

Setting SMART goals, breaking down goals, reflecting on past successes, shifting your mindset, and celebrating accomplishments are all ways to cultivate a sense of accomplishment.

1) Set SMART GOALS: These goals are specific (clearly defined), measurable (have a metric to track progress), achievable (you have the skills and tools to accomplish it), relevant (it aligns with your values and interests and means something to you), and time-specific (it has deadlines and dates). Set aside time to consistently work on your goals once you have set them.

2) Set smaller sub-goals: Break longer-term goals into a series of smaller goals that will lead up to the larger goal. This way, you can see progress as you are moving toward the bigger accomplishment. Small, manageable steps help you to stay motivated and track your progress.

3) Adopt a growth mindset: Believe that you can gain new skills, expertise, and knowledge through effort and practice; you are still developing. Shift your mindset from “I am not good at…. Or “I can never learn to do …..” to “I can’t do that now, but I will by next month”, “I can learn that if I put in some time”, and “I feel smarter about…”.

4) Develop Grit: Focus on improvement and practice diligently, seeking feedback to continuously improve your skills and knowledge. Connect with people who inspire, support, and mentor you and share your goals and values. Link your goals and activities to your larger purpose and your values. Focus on the impact and consider how your work or actions can positively influence others or make a difference in the world.

5) Track and focus on progress in the process: Find satisfaction in the process, in the experience of doing the tasks that lead to the goals. Be present and appreciate your effort and the progress you make, even when results are not immediate. In the process is where you can get better, because it's not about being good or great.

6) Acknowledge, accept, and learn from failure: Failing is human and is inevitable. It’s how we learn and grow, so embrace it as part of the process. It's okay to feel disappointed or frustrated when you fail, so acknowledge it, and allow yourself to process these emotions before moving forward. Don't make excuses or place blame when you fail; own it. Take responsibility for what happened. Develop strategies for coping with setbacks, such as practicing self-care, seeking support, and maintaining a positive attitude. See failure as a step forward, where the lessons learned, how you shift, and what you discover that can be applied to future tasks, only get you closer to your goal.

7) Celebrate the small wins: Celebrate progress and small wins to maintain momentum and motivation. Celebrating success doesn’t have to be complicated or involved. A daily routine of thinking about or journaling the wins of the day, or three things you accomplished or learned, can serve as a celebration. You can celebrate others with a simple email or text. Accountability partners not only keep you on track, they can also point out accomplishments to acknowledge and celebrate. Several studies have found that celebrating brings significant benefits, including improved physical health and better coping strategies. People who take time to reflect on — and celebrate — their successes are generally more optimistic, take better care of themselves, and tend to be less stressed.