Lessons From Project Management Part 5 – Celebrating Small Wins in Goals Setting
In this concluding essay, I discuss another lesson from the project management profession that is not widely applied but is nonetheless quite effective in attaining goals. It is the subject of celebrating small wins. Scientific research shows that it improves individual wellbeing, team spirit, and productivity.
Prior to this, in the first four parts of this series I addressed the need for Detailed Execution Plan, Goals Visibility, Accountability Partnership and Risk Management as key success factors in achieving our goals. I strongly suggest that you read those posts, if you have not done so already, to gain deeper insight into the subject.
Perhaps celebrating small wins is not practiced widely because it is one of those items some organizations regard as ‘avoidable or unnecessary expenditure’.
Many organizations regard anything they do for their employees beyond their salaries as a waste. They would rather pay for ill-motivated, disengaged workers with concomitant low productivity, than spend a little extra to increase staff morale and value to the organization.
But many years ago, I worked for ILF Consulting Engineers, an international design consulting company that was great at celebrating small wins. Virtually every project milestone achieved was celebrated.
For instance, when the Issue for Comments (IFC) package was delivered to the client on time, we would have something to eat and drink that evening in the office. Nothing big or fancy. Just some soft drinks and burger or barbecue.
But man, we looked forward to it! Quite often, we worked longer hours to ensure that those milestones were achieved. But nobody complained; everyone knew what was coming!
However, I have also worked for many other employers, some major EPC contractors, and International Oil Companies, with projects running into hundreds of millions of dollars, but most do not care. They would rather spend more to keep workers on site long beyond project contract completion date and pay associated liquidated damages, than spend a little more to motivate workers and improve their organizations’ reputation. Another case of penny wise, pound foolish.
But Nikki Novo, in an article titled “How to Show Your Employees You Care”, recommends bragging up employees’ successes. She reports of an organization where each employee has a bell she rings to celebrate her success or a colleagues’ successes. Simple! You may read it here for yourself.
Similarly, John Maxwell, acclaimed as the number one leadership expert in the world, in discussing the Law of Momentum in his book “The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership”, says
“To encourage momentum, you need to help your people celebrate their accomplishments. Make it a habit to honor people who ‘move the ball forward. The more you reward success, the more people will strive for it”
This means that, with respect to your goals, you must be your biggest fan. You must heed the advice of Nikki Novo:
“Stop to admire the small victories, and you might just see that your little efforts made a big difference.”
Similarly, freelance writer and bench scientist, Erin Wildermuth, asserts,
“Celebrating small wins inspires people to conquer all the obstacles between themselves and the big wins.”
Now, I assume that you have written down your big goals and have made them visible by posting them in strategic locations where you will always see them. I hope you have gone a step further to hammer out a roadmap, complete with mini milestones. I imagine that you have secured an accountability partner to keep your feet to the fire, and you are armed with your risk management strategies to ensure that your goals are not derailed.
You are now ready to implement your goals. Not yet!
You must now decide how you intend to celebrate the achievement of those small wins. If you need help with that, Megan Hyatt Miller, Chief Operating Officer of Michael Hyatt and Company, has some excellent suggestions here.
As for me, I plan to celebrate the achievement of some of my goals with a special dinner out with my family! Nothing fancy!
How do you plan to celebrate yours?
Well, I have written for those who think setting goals is important. If you do not like, or you hate setting goals, this may be the essay you need to read.
