Before The “Yes”

I was watching America’s Got Talent today. A show where different people take their talents on to a huge stage in front of a large crowd in a bid to win $1million–it IS 1 million right? Anyway.

A gentleman came on for his audition, he was oozing excitement and pride to simply BE on the stage. After he finished his bit, he got a standing ovation and literally ran around screaming and crying and hugging his brother who helped him.. (They were a duo).

Simon Cowell said he had never seen someone express such excitement *before* receiving a “Yes”.

The man’s reaction warmed my heart. This was not him at the finale, this was him during his AUDITION. He was beaming because he worked up the courage to show the world what he loved to do. His prize, at the time, was simply getting on that stage. And unbeknownst to him… killing it! He thanked God before the “Yes”. He cried and celebrated before the “Yes”.

I wanted to take this time to tell you that… Every step you take to make yourself better deserves to be celebrated. You see, as someone whose comfort zone literally engulfs them sometimes – doing the littlest thing that puts me “out there” is a big win for me. If you are used to it, then good for you! But never forget to celebrate your mini wins. If you’re a public speaker (and you love public speaking) and you just finished speaking in front of a crowd like you always do… THAT’S STILL A WIN! It might not be a TedTalk – but you enhanced your skill in that moment. That deserves to be celebrated too!

I am not at the “finale” of anything yet. I am STILL auditioning and trying to see where I actually fit in and what will be MY $1million prize. But along the journey, I urge you–nay, I implore you to please make the most out of every single mini- win.

You don’t have to be sitting on billions (even though that would be AMAZING right now) to be able to recognize that you are indeed doing the absolute THING.

It may not seem like it now, but the best is yet to come. And I want you to celebrate every little thing. Even before the world says “yes” to your ideas, your ventures, your creativity… Take pride in the beginning!