The Way of the Imperfect Fool

Grade-school children get stickers and gold stars when they do well. Why? Because those acknowledgments inevitably fire them up them to do even better. Incentives work. Meaningful incentives work.

What will your gold star be? What’s your equivalent of the schoolroom sticker? How can you celebrate your achievements? How can you reward your successes?

First, of course, you need to know what those successes are. Have you started your Way of the Fool Success Inventory yet? If not, start it now. If it’s evening or nighttime as you read this, recap the day now drawing to an end; if it’s earlier, inventory your accomplishments from yesterday and the first part of today.

What was your most outstanding accomplishment? It needn’t be earth-shattering or life-changing. Remember, you’re not comparing your successes with anyone else’s. Nor are you comparing today’s with last week’s. What was today’s most significant achievement, however insignificant it might seem to your critical, judgmental mind…or to anyone else?

Now, find a way to reward yourself for it. It doesn’t have to be an extravagant or expensive reward. It could be a specialty coffee at your favorite café, a book you’ve long coveted or any acknowledgement that is meaningful to you. Whatever your reward, let it be something special. However you earned it, celebrate it!