Eight Practical Reasons to Celebrate Yourself
If I asked you whether you celebrate yourself, what would you say?
Yes, when you mean “not really”?
Sometimes?
Or, you will…once you achieve this or that?
If so, I’m going to invite you to celebrate more.
Because you deserve it - being an ultrarunner by definition means you’re doing something extraordinary.
And because celebrating yourself directly improves your results.
(Without taking extra time out of your day. Win!)
I get it. I used to downplay my races and dismiss compliments until a close friend called me on it and I saw how counterproductive it was.
Since then, I’ve actively worked to get comfortable enough with celebrating myself that it’s become a regular practice and changed my life. I wouldn’t be coaching or writing this blog post without it.
Here’s what it can help you do:
Defeat imposter syndrome. When you doubt your abilities and feel like a fraud, the most effective strategy is to do the opposite of what imposter syndrome wants you to do. Have the audacity to start celebrating those abilities and owning those accomplishments, and the fraud feeling disappears.
Build self-confidence. You’ve proven you can run ultras and do hard things. Now, don’t lose the proof. Celebrate it and you’re more likely to remember it when you need it.
Energize motivation. When you celebrate the progress you’ve made instead of despairing about how far you are from your goal, you’re more likely to keep going. Celebration keeps running from turning into a thankless chore.
Make it easier to do bigger things. If you’re not rewarding yourself for what you’ve done thus far, where’s the incentive to do more? Celebrating creates “I’m ready for more” energy.
Put people at ease. We’ve all been around someone who insists on dismissing a big accomplishment. It feels off and a little manipulative. Celebrating your accomplishments is honest. It lets people trust and relax with you.
Allow others to celebrate. If someone gives you a compliment and you dismiss it, it’s like throwing the gift back in their face. A good way to start celebrating is allowing others the good feeling they get from celebrating you. Think of it as giving them the gift of giving one to you.
Teach others. Hiding your accomplishments hides what others could learn from you. When you’re willing to talk openly, without drama about your running, you give others the chance to learn like you probably did. Who knows how many ultrarunners you can inspire!
For women - give other women permission to celebrate themselves. When you normalize it for yourself, you normalize it for all of us. If you can do it, they can too.
Imagine becoming a runner who celebrates herself - not just after a great race, but every day.
Who celebrates her big wins and little ones, doing all the hard things she did to get here, and where she’s going.
In training, races and every part of her life.
Imagine what she could do.
Yeah, it’s amazing.
If you want that to be you, I can help.
Email me for a consult call and let’s talk.
