Guess what? It’s time we give ourselves a little credit. Entrepreneurs tend to get so caught up chasing that big, shiny “end goal” that we forget to acknowledge the small (but meaningful) steps we take along the way. Sound familiar? Yep, me too.
Truth is, those tiny moments of progress—those “small wins”—are the foundation of every big success. They might seem like nothing (hello, imposter syndrome), but they have the power to build momentum, boost your confidence, and turn your dreams into reality.
Whether you’re drafting your business plan, redesigning your website, or just drinking another glass of water because self-care matters (more on that later), every step forward deserves a little celebration.
Here’s why those small wins are so dang important and how you can start leveraging them to turbocharge your entrepreneurial game.
Small Wins = Big Magic
Why You Should Obsess Over the Tiny Victories
Think of small wins like putting coins in a jar. At first, it seems unimpressive—just a penny here and a quarter there. But after a while, you’ve got enough to buy that Venti oat milk latte… or, you know, invest in something magical for your business.
Small wins might not make the front page of your life story, but they build the groundwork for resilience and creativity. When you celebrate them, they act as tiny dopamine boosts, keeping you motivated for the marathon that is entrepreneurship.
Oh, and they remind you to ditch perfectionism. Because spoiler alert: perfection is imaginary. Progress is the real hero of this story.
Why Entrepreneurs Struggle to See Progress
Look, it’s hard to see past your to-do list when you’re running a business. I get it. You’re focused on scaling, reaching your audience, or just getting that “why haven’t they emailed back?!” email answered. But here’s the thing—you’re actually making moves all the time.
That blog post you wrote? That’s one step closer to building your content strategy. The networking lunch you had? It’s a connection that might open doors. And yes, logging into QuickBooks for the first time without crying? That’s a HUGE win.
But because we live in a culture of “go big or go home,” we tend to downplay these small achievements, thinking they don’t matter. Spoiler alert again—they totally do.
How to Start Celebrating Small Wins
1. Keep a Wins Journal
Seriously, start tracking everything. Got through 10 emails in your inbox? Write it down. Updated your LinkedIn profile? That counts too. Dedicate a notebook (or your Notes app) to list out your daily wins, no matter how small.
At the end of the week, look back and marvel at just how much stuff you actually got done. Trust me—it’s an instant mood boost.
Pro Tip: Add stickers to your journal if you’re feeling extra. Who doesn’t love a shiny gold star?
2. Share the Wins Loudly
Don’t keep your victories to yourself. Text them to your business bestie. Post them in your entrepreneurial Facebook group. Heck, tell your dog if nobody else is around. Saying them out loud makes them feel more real and builds your confidence.
Not sure how to start? Try something like, “I just landed my first client!” Or, “I didn’t burn my website down while updating the backend. #Progress.” You’ll probably find that people are cheering for you more than you think.
3. Reward Yourself Like a Champ
You crushed a client pitch? Reward yourself with that fancy coffee. Finally tackled your invoices? Treat yourself to an extra-long Netflix binge (yes, we see you, “Love Is Blind” fans).
The key here isn’t just about the treat itself—it’s about training your brain to associate progress with positivity. Because, if dogs can be trained with treats, so can entrepreneurs.
4. Practice Progress Over Perfection
It’s the entrepreneurial lesson we all hate but need to learn again and again—perfection is a lie.
When you focus on progress instead of trying to do things perfectly, you’ll free yourself from unnecessary stress. That newsletter you haven’t sent because it’s not “perfect”? Hit send anyway. Done is better than perfect, and guess what? You can always tweak things later.
Real Talk from My Wins Journal
This month, I decided to drink more water—because apparently, not living like a dehydrated cactus is what “adults” do. And honestly? Just remembering to refill my water bottle feels like a win some days.
Instead of obsessing over big, overwhelming goals, I write down simple moments of progress. It keeps me focused and reminds me that any step forward is worth celebrating.
The Momentum Effect of Small Wins
Ever hear that trains are easier to keep moving once they start rolling? That’s the power of small wins—they keep your business momentum alive, even on the days when progress feels slooowwww.
Every little step you take, whether it’s drafting a single email or finally making that Canva graphic, gets you closer to the destination. That momentum builds resilience, energy, and most importantly, belief in yourself.
Inspiration for When You Need It
Picture this. You’ve been chipping away at your business plan for weeks—testing products, doing your market research, and making 500 tweaks along the way. Maybe you’ve only completed one or two sections so far. But guess what?
You’re further ahead than you were last week, and THAT is a huge deal.
Or think about a fitness goal. If you’ve started a workout routine, you know it takes time to see results. That’s why trainers always tell you to take progress photos—one day you’ll look back and realize all those small efforts added up to something massive.
The same logic applies to your entrepreneurial wins. One day, you’ll look back and go, “Wow, look at everything I’ve built.”
Final Thoughts (and a Challenge)
All right, it’s time to put this into practice. Today, take a few minutes to do the following:
- Write down 3 small wins from the past week.
- Share your favorite one on Instagram (tag us while you’re at it!).
- Reward yourself with something fun (yes, Starbucks counts).
And when you’re feeling stuck, remember this—every step forward, no matter how tiny, is still progress. Your business doesn’t have to happen overnight. What matters is that you’re moving forward, one intentional day at a time.
Oh, and if you want more motivation and tips like this one? Head over to and check more of my tips and strategies (yes, shameless plug) to learn how to build your dream business while keeping your sanity intact. Escape the 9 to 5
Go celebrate your wins—you’ve earned it.