Ever been in a high-pressure situation and I nail it? When that happens, you’re proud and want to celebrate. How should you reward yourself? Most people reward themself with food or beverages, adult beverages even.
When you go to celebrate, do you go out for dinner and drinks? Do you go shopping for the perfect outfit? Is the newest album from Luke Bryan what you decide to treat yourself with? As you read this, you might not be exactly sure what your reward system is, but take some time to think about it. Don’t forget to include the kids too. Celebrating is definitely a part of the journey and I encourage you to do so.
I used to reward myself with food and beverages but as I learned, I became more mindful. To help you come up with some ideas, let me give you some examples of how to reward yourself.
- Your first 5K – You just ran your first 5K ever. And it’s not just a 5K, it’s a 5K mud run. Proud of yourself, right? Instead of celebrating with food to make up for the calories you just burned, reward yourself with new workout gear or a piece of jewelry, like an Alex and Ani bracelet. It symbolizes your accomplishments and won’t add to your waistline.
- You’re promoted at your job – You’ve been working really hard and your boss finally recognizes you and promotes you. The step up comes with a new desk and a little extra money. Instead of getting together with friends or coworkers for a cocktail after work, remind yourself how awesome you are with this Boss Lady coffee mug. You’ll be able to look at it and feel proud every time you have your morning coffee or tea.
- You’ve finally paid off your credit card – Your credit card is finally paid off! How long did that take? You are so excited and know you should celebrate, but how? Dinner out with champagne sounds perfect, but that one glass might lead to two, or three or, God only knows! Instead, reward yourself with a plan. A plan for what you’re going to do with that extra money – a weekend getaway, a new bedroom set, a new pair of running shoes…
When you think about your reward system, think creatively. Think out of the box. Don’t automatically reward yourself with food or beverages. Yes, that will give you immediate satisfaction but in the end, it’s not very good for your health. A reward system that does not involve food and beverages can be good for your health. Just think…you’ll smile every time you wear that bracelet you bought for completing your first 5K and release some endorphins!
Now here’s your challenge. If you don’t have a reward system now, create one for you and your whole family! Get a process in place so when you’re ready to celebrate, you’re not immediately gravitating toward food, but something a little more fun. Share the reward systems you have in place and any special reward you’ve given yourself recently! I’d love to hear what you’ve come up with.