Who decides what's worth celebrating?

Small wins are more than just incremental steps; they’re markers of resilience, persistence, and progress. Each small victory represents a milestone on a personal journey. The journey to success, personal fulfillment, or even stability is rarely straightforward. People face myriad challenges, self-doubt, external criticism, financial struggles, or emotional battles, that aren’t always visible to others.

In life, we often measure success by big achievements, graduations, promotions, major deals, and awards. These moments are undoubtedly significant, but sometimes, the smaller milestones deserve just as much celebration. Recently, I’ve noticed discussions about what "counts" as worthy of celebration. And honestly, it brings up a question we should all consider: who gets to decide what’s worth celebrating?

Take, for example, the recent posts from people announcing that they were selected as mentors for the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF). TEF sent out invitations to many people to become mentors, and for those who accepted, it was a proud moment. Despite this, some questioned whether it was truly "celebration-worthy." After all, they argued, the selection wasn’t exclusive or prestigious enough to announce. But this view misses the real value of celebrating our own achievements, however small they may seem.

We see this in other areas too. For many, traveling abroad for the first time is a milestone worth sharing. It’s about much more than the journey itself, it’s the realization of dreams, the reward of hard work, and, in many cases, a deeply personal victory. Still, some people might brush it off as unremarkable or routine. Yet, every milestone, whether big or small, has its own meaning to the person reaching it. Celebrating these small wins is about honoring our progress and valuing each step on our path, no matter what others think.

When we celebrate small victories, we’re actually celebrating resilience, persistence, and growth. Every win, no matter its size, is a reminder of the challenges we’ve overcome, self-doubt, financial struggles, or emotional battles that others might not even see.

Sharing these wins does more than validate our journey; it inspires others. Each time someone posts about a new opportunity, an invitation to mentor, or a first trip abroad, they’re showing others that progress is possible. That small celebration can mean a lot to someone else who’s struggling or feeling stuck, offering them encouragement and hope.

Celebrating our achievements, regardless of their size, helps us and others feel motivated and recognized. When we dismiss someone’s win, we aren’t just offering a different opinion, we’re undermining their effort and discouraging them from valuing their journey. This kind of reaction creates an environment where only certain types of success are “worthy” of recognition, making it harder for people to feel proud of their own progress.

Success looks different for everyone. What may be small to one person can be life-changing to another. By respecting each other’s celebrations, we acknowledge the uniqueness of each person’s journey. And when we do this, we create a community that appreciates the diversity of achievements, no matter how they may seem to outsiders. Recognizing these moments also benefits us on a personal level. Studies show that celebrating even small accomplishments boosts motivation and well-being. Each time we celebrate, we’re reinforcing that we’re moving forward, getting closer to our goals.

More importantly, celebrating small wins is about giving ourselves permission to feel proud. It’s about honoring our progress and the path we’re on. When we pause to recognize a milestone, no matter its size, we’re building confidence in our ability to succeed, step by step. And each of these small celebrations becomes a building block for even greater achievements.

To foster a supportive community, we need to make room for everyone to celebrate their journey. When we respect and encourage others to share their wins, we create an environment where success isn’t measured by exclusivity but by personal growth and fulfillment. We can all benefit from a culture that celebrates each step forward.

So, if you’re reading this and have been holding back from celebrating a recent win, let this be your reminder: every step you take is a victory. Your journey matters, and every milestone along the way deserves recognition. Keep moving forward, keep celebrating, and keep inspiring others with your story. Thank you for allowing me to share this today, and let’s continue to celebrate the journey, yours, mine, and everyone’s.

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