Feel honored? Try counting small wins.

Date:

When I joined The New York Times as a columnist in 2022, I hadn’t worked in an office in over twenty years. I previously wrote freelance articles and books at home; my only collaborator was Tux, my tuxedo cat.

On the primary day, I used to be taken to my office and given a pc. Faking confidence, I sat down, opened my laptop, and located that I could not log in. I attempted again. I began sweating. I then called our IT department. The one who answered volunteered to assist over the phone.

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“Please don’t,” I whispered. “Everyone will hear me fumbling. Can’t I just come to you?”

I grabbed my computer and ran upstairs, where a person named Adnan gently asked if I used to be okay. He told me that in his five years at The Times, he had seen many colleagues who felt overwhelmed.

So he shared something he thought might help. He told me to assume a jar and suggested that I add a metaphorical penny to it each time I completed something – even a small task like finding my way back to my desk.

Over time, he said, you will fill the jar. You will see that you just are moving forward, even should you do not feel it, he added.

I still take into consideration that jar, especially when I’m going through difficult times. I’m still paying my pennies.

Counting up wins, even the youngest ones, will be motivating, said B.J. Fogg, founding father of Stanford University’s behavioral design lab and writer of “Tiny Habits: The Small Changes That Change Everything.”

Over the twenty years of research for his book, Dr. Fogg discovered that adults have some ways to say “I did a bad job” and only a few ways to say “I did a good job.” But tracking your wins using the penny method is effective in improving morale and motivation, he said.

“You are intentionally making yourself feel successful in the moment,” Dr. Fogg said. And it adds up, “so you can think back and say, ‘Oh my God, me To have Progress.'”

Big achievements, such as completing an important project, have greater motivational power, says Teresa Amabile, a professor of business administration at Harvard Business School and author of “The Progress Principle: Using Small Wins to Ignite Joy, Engagement and Creativity at Work.” ” But she added that larger achievements are rare, “which means we can’t rely on them to motivate people on a daily basis.”

Dr. – Amabile said her research suggests that the majority people have “experienced something like extraordinary pleasure” from small victories at work. For example, she explained how one subject fixed a bug in his office’s computer system, which left him feeling “pleased and motivated” for days.

The penny jar method also works in other areas of life. My friend’s father recently died, and she was so grief-stricken that she could barely perform even the simplest tasks. I told her about the jar and now she uses this method. Get out of bed? One penny. Did you manage to brush your teeth? Two cents. Even that, she said, gives her momentum.

If you feel overwhelmed or stuck – due to a new, challenging circumstance or an overwhelming task – you can use a real jar, imagine one, or write down small wins that add up to pennies.

I recently told Adnan how much his advice helped me. I thanked him for his technical and emotional support.


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Rome: Visionary Founder of the GlobalCommand Ecosystem (GlobalCmd.com | GLCND.com | GlobalCmd A.I.) Rome is the innovative mind behind the GlobalCommand Ecosystem, a dynamic suite of platforms designed to revolutionize productivity for entrepreneurs, freelancers, small business owners, and forward-thinking individuals. Through his visionary leadership, Rome has developed tools and content that eliminate complexity, empower decision-making, and accelerate success. The Powerhouse of Productivity: GlobalCmd.com At the heart of Rome’s vision is GlobalCmd.com, an intuitive AI-powered platform designed to simplify decision-making and streamline workflows. Whether you’re solving complex business challenges, scaling a new idea, or optimizing daily operations, GlobalCmd.com transforms inputs into actionable, results-driven solutions. Rome’s approach is straightforward yet transformative: provide users with tools that deliver clarity, save time, and empower them to focus on growth and achievement. With GlobalCmd.com, users no longer have to navigate overwhelming tools or inefficient processes—Rome has redefined productivity for real-world needs. An Ecosystem Built for Excellence Rome’s vision extends far beyond productivity tools. The GlobalCommand Ecosystem includes platforms that address every step of the user’s journey: • GLCND.com: A professional blog and content hub offering expert insights and actionable advice across business, science, health, and more. GLCND.com inspires users to explore new ideas, sharpen their skills, and stay ahead in their fields. • GlobalCmd A.I.: The innovative AI engine powering GlobalCmd.com, designed to turn user inputs into tailored recommendations, predictive insights, and actionable strategies. Built on the cutting-edge RAD² Framework, this AI simplifies even the most complex decisions with precision and ease. The Why Behind GlobalCmd.com Rome understands the pressure and challenges of running a business, launching projects, and making impactful decisions in real time. His mission was to create a platform that eliminates unnecessary complexity and provides clear, practical solutions for users. Whether users are tackling new ventures, refining operations, or handling day-to-day decisions, Rome has designed the GlobalCommand Ecosystem to meet real-world needs with innovative, results-oriented tools. Empowering Success Through Simplicity Rome’s ultimate goal is to empower individuals with the right tools, insights, and strategies to take control of their work and achieve success. By combining the strengths of GlobalCmd.com, GLCND.com, and GlobalCmd A.I., Rome has created an ecosystem that transforms how people work, think, and grow. Start your journey to smarter decisions and greater success today. Visit GlobalCmd.com and take control of your future.

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