25 Ways to Reward Yourself for Success

By Wendy Burt-Thomas

Have you every noticed that as women, we’re quick to reward others but not ourselves? We acknowledge the successes of our partner, our friends, our children, our employees – even our dogs – but often fail to pat ourselves on the back for the mightiest of achievements!

Perhaps it’s because we don’t acknowledge just how much we do in any given day. Or maybe we think that the things we accomplish are just ‘par for the course’ duties, rather than true accomplishments. Whatever the reason, it’s time we began rewarding ourselves for achieving success on a variety of levels. Snagged a new client? Threw a successful birthday party for your three-year-old? Delivered a great speech to a large group? Give yourself a hand with a tangible reward to boost your confidence, avoid burnout and keep yourself motivated for the next major task or goal on your list.

Here are a few ideas for those who aren’t used to tooting their own horn:
1. Get a massage.
2. Splurge on a nice bottle of wine or champagne.
3. Treat yourself to a mini vacation, wherever the cheapest flight takes you!
4. Go out to dinner with some girlfriends.
5. Call in sick and head to a matinee.
6. Buy a book you’ve been meaning to read and spend the day in bed.
7. Send the kids to a friend’s house and take a long bubble bath.
8. Check into a hotel for the night and take advantage of the pool, hot tub and room service.
9. Buy a new outfit, shoes or handbag that’s NOT a necessity.
10. Spend the day browsing a library or bookstore.
11. Rent a selection of ‘chick flicks’ and hunker down with a bowl of popcorn.
12. Take a day to wander the boutiques in a new town.
13. Head to the beach or a nearby pool with a stack of shameless gossip magazines.
14. Enjoy a day baking cookies, kneading bread or testing that new recipe you’ve been meaning to try.
15. Let someone pamper you! Get a pedicure, manicure – or both.
16. Make an appointment with the top salon and get a consultation for a new haircut/colour to flatter your face and lifestyle.
17. Indulge in a new pair of funky designer frames or sunglasses.
18. Rent a convertible sports car for the day.
19. Relive your childhood with a day at the zoo, the water park or the amusement park – alone, with friends or with your kids.
20. Try something fun and energising – waterskiing, parasailing or even skydiving!
21. Rent a scooter and take in the sites like a tourist.
22. Spend a day museum hopping.
23. Sign up for a fun class or one-day workshop: gourmet cooking, Spanish, painting or sign language.
24. Do something spiritual to renew your soul: head to church, walk a labyrinth, enrol in a one-day silent retreat.
25. Unleash your inner artist by spending a day in nature with your camera, pen and paper or canvas and art supplies.