Empowering Women
By Rachel Guevara
We often think success is about reaching big, life-changing milestones—losing 50 pounds, running a marathon or completely transforming our habits overnight. But the truth is, real progress happens in the small wins. Those little victories you achieve along the way? They are what keep you going, keep you motivated and ultimately lead to long-term success.
For women juggling work, family and personal commitments, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by huge goals. That’s why focusing on small wins is so powerful. It shifts the focus from “I have so far to go” to “Look how far I’ve come.”
So, let’s talk about why small wins matter, how to set them, and—yes—why you should absolutely reward yourself for every step forward.
Why small wins matter
- They build momentum
Think of progress like a snowball. A small push gets it rolling, and with each win, it picks up speed. Maybe you start by drinking more water each day. That small win leads to more energy, which motivates you to take a short walk. That walk turns into regular workouts. One small win creates a ripple effect of success.
- They keep you motivated
It’s easy to lose motivation when your goals feel far away. If your only measure of success is the end result, you may feel like you’re not making progress fast enough. But when you break it down into small wins—like completing three workouts this week or choosing a healthy meal instead of fast food—you’ll see daily proof that you’re moving forward.
- They boost confidence
Each time you accomplish something, no matter how small, you send yourself a message: ”I can do this.” Success isn’t about willpower—it’s about proving to yourself that you’re capable, one step at a time.
How to set small win goals
Instead of saying, “I want to lose 20 pounds,” break it down into small, achievable goals:
Drink eight glasses of water each day
Move your body for 20 minutes, three times this week
Swap one processed snack for a whole food option
Get 7 hours of sleep at least four nights this week
Take the stairs instead of the elevator
Each time you check one off, celebrate it—because progress is happening!
Why you should reward yourself
Many women hesitate to reward themselves, thinking they should wait until they’ve hit the “big goal.” But celebrating small wins is essential to keeping yourself motivated and excited about the journey.
Non-food reward ideas:
Buy yourself a cute new workout outfit
Treat yourself to a manicure or massage
Get a new book, podcast, or playlist to enjoy
Take a relaxing bath with candles and music
Schedule a girls’ night out or a solo coffee date
The key is choosing rewards that fuel your progress, not sabotage it. If your goal is healthy eating, rewarding yourself with a huge junk food binge might undo the progress you’ve made. Instead, focus on self-care and experiences that make you feel good.
You deserve to celebrate yourself
Every single small win adds up to something bigger. You don’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to wait until you’ve hit the “final” goal. Every step forward—no matter how small—is worth celebrating.
So take a moment to recognize your progress. You’re doing better than you think. Keep going, keep celebrating and remember: small wins lead to big success.
