There's something magical that happens when you start celebrating your weekly wins. It's not just about feeling good (though that's certainly part of it). It's about rewiring your brain to embrace the very mindset that separates thriving creatives from those who stay stuck.
As Caroline shared in our weekly wins discussion, she learned last minute her audience hadn’t been warmed up to the topic she was about to give a presentation on. Panic could have won out. But, having a growth mindset transforms how we approach every challenge, every setback, and every opportunity that comes our way.
When you believe that your abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work, suddenly those intimidating new ventures or last minute adjustments to your plans don't look quite so scary.
Here's the truth: growth lives outside your comfort zone.
That blog post you've been putting off? The social media platform you've been avoiding? The networking event that makes your palms sweat? These uncomfortable moments are exactly where your creative business needs you to show up.
But here's where weekly wins become your secret weapon. When you're actively looking for victories—even small ones—you're training yourself to spot progress in places you might have missed it before. That awkward first Instagram Reel? It's not a failure if you posted it. That email newsletter with only three subscribers? It's not embarrassing if you hit send.
Let's be real for a moment. This journey isn't all sunshine and roses. There will be days when your book launch feels flat, when your social media engagement drops, or when that pitch gets rejected. These moments sting, and pretending they don't won't help anyone.
But here's what a growth mindset teaches us: even in those tough moments, there are wins waiting to be discovered. Maybe your book launch didn't hit bestseller lists, but you learned valuable lessons about your audience. Perhaps your social media took a dip, but you discovered which content truly resonates with your community. That rejected pitch? It forced you to refine your message in ways that will serve your next opportunity.
The Weekly Wins Practice in Action
When you commit to finding and celebrating weekly wins, you're doing more than just positive thinking. You're actively training your brain to:
Recognize progress over perfection – Every step forward counts, no matter how small
Embrace experimentation – If you're looking for wins, trying new things becomes less risky and more exciting
Build resilience – When you know there's always something to celebrate, setbacks become temporary rather than defining
Stay motivated – Regular celebration creates momentum that carries you through the challenging weeks
This practice becomes the foundation for taking on bigger challenges. When you trust that you'll find the wins along the way, that new revenue stream doesn't feel so overwhelming. That speaking opportunity becomes exciting rather than terrifying.
Jane Austen didn't become one of literature's most enduring voices by playing it safe. She wrote with wit and insight that challenged the conventions of her time. She negotiated her own publishing deals (within the limitation of her time) when women rarely controlled their own business affairs. She understood that growth required courage.
You have that same courage within you.
It's waiting in every small step you take outside your comfort zone, in every weekly win you choose to celebrate, and in every challenge you decide to meet with curiosity rather than fear.
So here's your invitation: What's one win from this week that might have seemed small but actually represents a step outside your comfort zone?
Maybe you:
Posted on a social platform you've been avoiding
Sent that email you'd been drafting for weeks
Had a difficult conversation about your creative work
Tried a new marketing strategy
Set a boundary that protects your creative time
Finished a project you thought you'd never complete
Whatever it is, we want to celebrate it with you. Because when we share our wins together, we're not just building individual confidence—we're creating a community that believes in growth, supports bold moves, and understands that every creative journey is worth celebrating.
Your weekly win is waiting. What will you celebrate today?
Until next time,
Melissa
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