I can imagine that may seem like a strange question. I truly understand that, but really, at what level/threshold do you take a moment away from anything else you do to celebrate something? I believe people benefit from celebrating things at a lower threshold than is common.
As a business owner, manager, really anyone over entry level you are a leader of people, try not to forget or ignore that for too long. You will benefit from celebrating true steps forward with your people. Yes, celebrate steps, that is the basic tenet of this argument.
Celebrate more.
Let’s not wait for a year end goal, or a doubling of sales, or the ‘ends to any means’. I want to note: this need not be a business only idea, why wait until a year after a wedding to celebrate a ‘Real’ anniversary, why not send flowers to her for months on end to celebrate your monthly anniversary of the first kiss you shared?
Identify what the first step is to getting where you dream of going, when you take that step celebrate it. Whether that is launching your business into a new market, or marrying the person of your dreams. Celebrate the first kiss, celebrate the new menu with the team that will deliver it, celebrate the first deal of a new salesperson.
Don’t wait for something huge to celebrate.
Time is your most valuable currency, don’t waste its value with inaction. -CP
Doing that has two huge negative effects, and a million (or so) smaller drawbacks. The first big one is that by waiting you require the team to rely on inner motivation to get where you want to go. That doesn’t sound like a good start to me. The second big drawback is that the celebration seemingly has to be bigger the farther along you go. For that matter, celebrating can be as simple as sincere compliments, acknowledgement of a person or team in front of their peers, sharing a few beers (after work if need be). That’s the thing when you celebrate smaller things; the celebration is easy and fun.
Surprise people.
Celebrate accomplishments they may not know you noticed, do something impromptu or without fanfare that celebrates, and in doing so recognizes, accomplishments. Those small steps to the goal you have set. Motivation pours out of actions like that in many forms. Your team will feel appreciated, taken care of, and free from worry about if their toils are noticed.
Lower your threshold and enjoy life more. This is your life remember, you can build an environment that works for you.