positive things in your life helps you continue to experience positive feelings. You may also notice that you feel a stronger connection with the person you told. Indeed, celebrating good news and goal-consistent behavior with responsive friends, family members, and partners helps them learn more about you and teaches you that they understand important pieces of your life.
And, last but not least, you may notice that you are much more likely to remember that you took a step toward your goals when you have a conversation about it. Remembering that you followed through on your goal is critical, especially since it is all-too-easy to focus on all that you did not do or all that you still need to do.
To work on celebrating your victories, go back and read steps 1-3 again, this time picturing who you might turn to when you inch toward your goals. Every momentary victory – like picking up the phone when it rings or putting your phone on silent – is a victory that can be celebrated and keep you on a path to generating even more positive events in your life.
Rachel Hershenberg, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in the research and treatment of depression. She is an assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Emory University, and director of psychotherapy in Emory’s Treatment Resistant Depression program. She serves as co-chair of the American Psychological Association’s Committee on Science and Practice in the Society of Clinical Psychology and received a 2016 Career Development Leadership Award in Clinical Research from the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. She has published over twenty-five peer-reviewed publications and has appeared as a guest specialist on local radio. She lives in the Atlanta area. Her new book, Activating Happiness, is available for purchase on Amazon and Indiebound. Rachel may be found on Twitter and Goodreads and PsychologyToday.