Appreciating the Small Wins
March 17, 2025
Writer: Selin Tanyeri
Editors: Ava Malkin & Dani Eder
Photo: Pinterest
The first time I truly grasped the power of small wins was during a particularly chaotic semester in college. My days were consumed by a full course load, organizing events for my figure skating team, and preparing for weekend competitions. Every task seemed like a mountain, and my to-do list consumed me, growing longer each day. One evening, after hours of work, I managed to finish annotating a reading assignment that hung over me for weeks. It was just a few pages filled with notes, but the satisfaction I felt was inexplicably overwhelming. Instead of rushing to the next task, I paused. I made myself a cup of tea, sat down, and allowed myself to revel in that small moment of victory. It was through this sentiment of relief and accomplishment that I finally understood how the tiniest accomplishments deserve recognition, not because they are groundbreaking but because they move me forward.
In a world that often glorifies grand achievements, it is easy to overlook the power of small victories. Yet, it is in these seemingly insignificant moments, finishing a challenging task, sticking to a habit for a day, or making a tiny improvement, that true progress begins. Small wins may not grab headlines or applause, but they play a vital role in building momentum, confidence, and long-term success. By learning to appreciate these everyday triumphs, we not only stay motivated, we can create a mindset that values persistence and growth. Recognizing and celebrating these minor achievements is essential, as they are the foundation for achieving more significant goals and finding joy in the journey. This realization shifted my perspective on progress. It becomes easy to feel overwhelmed when staring down the path toward a major goal. Big ambitions, graduating with honors, landing your dream job, running a marathon, can feel so distant and haunting that they overshadow the smaller steps required to get there. But, those small steps are where the magic happens. A writer drafting a single paragraph might feel insignificant compared to the vision of a finished book; yet, that paragraph is progress, and the finished work would never be the same without it. A student conquering one challenging math problem moves closer to acing their exam. An athlete shaving a fraction of a second off their mile time lays the groundwork for future achievements. Small wins like these are by no means trivial; they’re the proof that we’re capable of moving forward.
Acknowledging these wins builds something invaluable: momentum. Momentum is like gliding smoothly across the ice, each stride propels you forward, even when the energy to push harder seems absent. It keeps us going on the days when motivation fades and the big picture feels distant. I have witnessed this firsthand, not just in my academic life but in other pursuits as well. When training for a figure skating competition, there were days when even getting out of bed for practice felt like a struggle. Instead of criticizing myself, I chose to celebrate the fact that I was able to get up and do my best at practice. Every practice, no matter how short, was a small glide forward. Over time, those minor achievements accumulated, very similar to building speed on the ice, and before I knew it, I was competing. Celebrating the small steps made the larger goal feel achievable rather than impossible. What makes small wins so powerful is their ability to build confidence. Each time we acknowledge an accomplishment, no matter how minor, we reinforce the belief that we are capable of growth.
Appreciating small wins teaches us that success isn’t just about the destination, it is about the journey. It is about lacing up your running shoes on a cold morning, finishing the first draft of an email you’ve been avoiding, or finally mastering a recipe after several failed attempts. These moments might not seem like much in isolation, but together, they create a tapestry of resilience, effort, and progress. Each small win is a reminder that we’re moving forward, and that’s always worth celebrating. So today, take a moment to pause and appreciate the small wins in your life. They’re not just stepping stones to something greater, they’re achievements in their own right.
