We’re hard at work on a near final round of book edits (next deadline mid July, final deadline mid August!) and as I worked on the latter half of the book yesterday I hit the “Celebrate Your Success” section. Now, Lauren and I like to joke a fair bit amongst ourselves and peers that our weakest point as business owners is our inability to celebrate our achievements. We have a nasty habit of attaining goals and then breezing right on through to the next thing on the to-do list without even stopping to breathe, let alone taking time to congratulate ourselves, maybe knock off early for a cocktail or heck take a mid afternoon celebratory soy-latte break. Back to the book. The format of our book is one that uses a lot of examples from our own business experience as well as examples from a host of super-smart business ladies we’ve interviewed. As I thumbed through my stack of interview transcripts I realized I had nothing — zero, zip, nada — to use as examples of celebrating success, though trust me with this stack of business gals there’s no shortage of successes.
One woman we spoke to did mention that she thought there may be a bit of a gender thing going on here, that women are not as apt to toot their own horns as it were as our male counterparts. And, while gender absolutisms aren’t typically my thing (says the author of a women’s business book), I kinda think she might be right. So come on darling readers, prove us wrong. Let me know what you do to celebrate getting that big contract you were hoping for, or breaking last month’s sales record, getting a write up in a national magazine, or whatever kinds of things make you say a little “yippee!” on the inside as a business lady. We may just use your inspiring celebratory hints in the book….
5 responses so far ↓
1 rappy // Jun 30, 2007 at 1:39 pm
Last year I did a substantial amount of translation for a local production of a television series (a pretty famous one, at that). The translation was for internal purposes - I wasn’t translating sub-titles - and as such, other than a paycheque I wasn’t really expecting much else.
Very shortly before the season was scheduled to air, I was sent the show’s credit reel to translate, and was rather amazed to find my own name on it, as the show’s translator.
Now, every time I happen to see an episode (which is quite rare), I get a terrific little thrill out of seeing my name at the end of the show. It’s also a lot more concrete to say that I translated the show, because I have more than just my resume to prove that it’s true.
2 Megan M. // Jun 30, 2007 at 7:36 pm
When great projects come through — and often when they get finished, too! — we tend to go out for sushi. Sushi is very celebratory. Yum!
3 scotchneat // Jul 1, 2007 at 5:29 pm
Along with celebration, it’s important to do the PR work, particularly if you are a boss, but not an owner.
After a big project, nothing makes me happier than to get the word out about the contributions of everyone involved—to the right people.
As for celebrations of a celebratory nature, one of the best I attended was a Vegas night complete with really good prizes (gift cards, satellite radio kits and so on). Several people started planning it months before project completion, so it felt like more than a checkbox on the project plan.
4 michelle // Jul 2, 2007 at 12:27 pm
this is a great point, ladies. so glad you bring it up. each time i land a big contract (when i’m not busy rushing off to the next item on my to-do list), i go out for a big fat juicy steak with my honey. in fact, i think i’m overdue for one now… ;)
5 Emira // Jul 2, 2007 at 9:01 pm
Thanks for your thoughts on this ladies (and please keep’em coming).
Rappy, so other than getting a wee tingle of excitement when you see your name on tv (and yes, that is kinda awesome) how did you celebrate your fame?
Scotchneat, can you elaborate on the idea of spreading the word about the contributions of team members? Do you mean formally, ie/ press releases etc. more informally.
Megan, great to hear from you! I hope you’re well.
Michelle, congrats on whatever has lead you down the path of the juicy steak dinner. Have a lovely
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