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Celebration Saboteurs

As summer transitions to fall, there is a natural change in the rhythm of our lives.There may be certain things that have shifted that we must release. Instead of mourning what has been lost what hasn’t happened yet, we invite you to pause and ponder what moments you can honor and celebrate now.
Leslie M. Bosserman

Leslie M. Bosserman

5 Min Read

As summer transitions to fall, there is a natural change in the rhythm of our lives.

There may be certain things that have shifted that we must release, like autumn leaves changing color and then falling off the tree. Certain expectations and goals may remain unmet, leaving us feeling stuck or even facing failure gremlins that like to hibernate in our best-laid-intentions.

Instead of mourning what has been lost or feeling weighed down by what hasn’t happened yet, this month we invite you to pause and ponder what moments you can honor and celebrate now. Together, let’s reclaim a sense of purpose in the middle of the uncertainty as we stand firm against common “Celebration Saboteurs” that try and steal our joy!

Three Common Celebration Saboteurs

We’ve been told from a young age that we need to set goals and go after them. Yet, celebrating these accomplishments isn’t often modeled or honored. In our busy lives, rather than making time to celebrate our wins, we tend to make excuses like…

“Oh, it’s not a big deal…anyone could have done that!”(Diminishing)

“I’m too busy to stop and celebrate now. There’s always something else to do!” (Avoiding)

“Won’t others think I’m selfish if I brag about what I’ve done?” (Fearing)

When we are diminishing, avoiding, or fearing our life, we stop living it. We give our power away to these three Celebration Saboteurs instead of using our influence for good.

Instead of living by these sabotaging messages, it’s time to:

STOP diminishing who you are and what you do

NOTICE your positive contributions and everyday wins, and

CELEBRATE what’s amazing and even ordinary about your life!

Take a Moment to Reflect

As we near the end of summer, what are you proud to have done, started, or changed in your life?

Maybe you started writing that BIG proposal to a new client…

Or finally finished organizing your garage…

Or simply gave yourself more time and space to be present with your family this summer…

While we often feel like we need to accomplish something BIG to be worthy of acknowledgment, we encourage you to shift the focus to smaller-scale celebrations this month and everyday wins like getting green lights when you’re running late or finally matching ALL the socks in the load of laundry!

These are the extraordinary, yet still quite ordinary, moments that help us rebuild some joy, whimsy, and connection amidst the current chaos and confusion we may be struggling with.

How Do You Celebrate?

What special traditions have you created to honor significant moments? Maybe you always order red velvet cake on your birthday or sing the Star Spangled Banner out loud as a family before the Super Bowl. Whatever makes these moments special, cherish and appreciate them!

If you want to create some celebratory customs of your own, take a moment and consider the following:

  • What special events are important in your life? Which ones are you already celebrating? Are there any that need more attention?
  • How do you like to be acknowledged? What makes you feel appreciated? (e.g. verbal praise, personal gifts, planned surprises, private dinner, etc.)
  • If you could spend the day doing anything your heart desired, what would you do?

Based on these responses, take the time to dream up a new way to celebrate and consider who’s support you may need to enlist. We’d love to hear what you create!

Celebration doesn’t have to be a big, outward gesture. It often is done in quiet moment of self-reflection and acknowledgement that invite us to pause and ponder how we’re feeling and what we’re proud of. Today, carve out some space for celebration in whatever way feels genuine and right.

Originally published at leadwithintention.com on September 1, 2024 

More About Leslie 

Leslie M. Bosserman, M.Ed., CPCC, is an Executive Coach + Lifestyle Strategist for innovators and creative professionals leading dynamic and diverse teams. After working for a decade in higher education and student development, Leslie launched Lead With Intention® – a boutique coaching and consulting practice that specializes in leadership coaching, customized training, and organizational strategy for clients and their teams around the world. She collaborates with a range of creative professionals from entrepreneurs launching their startups to executive leaders at Fortune 500 Companies. With a background in strengths-based leadership development and applied positive psychology, she enjoys helping individuals and team realize and become their best. Leslie teaches on Business and Leadership at the University of California, Davis Continuing and Professional Education. She is a sought-after keynote speaker and leadership trainer, and recently was a featured speaker at TEDxEustis in February 2024. Committed to enhancing her local community, Leslie and her husband, Joel, co-created and launched The Makers Place™ – the regions first coworking space with onsite childcare. She also currently works as the Director and Site Supervisor of Mini Makers™ Preschool. Leslie lives in Northern California and travels internationally for coaching, organizational trainings, and retreat facilitation. You can connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube or send her an email at [email protected] to learn how to partner together.

Author(s)

  • Leslie M. Bosserman

    Founder and Executive Coach

    Lead With Intention®

    Leslie M. Bosserman, M.Ed., CPCC is an Executive Coach and Lifestyle Strategist for innovators and creative professionals leading dynamic and diverse teams. As a creative thought leader, Leslie has spoken at TEDxEustis and is currently writing a book on a decade of research around the science of Emotional Endurance. After working for a decade in higher education and student development, Leslie launched Lead With Intention® – a boutique coaching and consulting practice that specializes in leadership coaching, customized training, and organizational strategy for clients and their teams around the world. She collaborates with a range of creative professionals from entrepreneurs launching their startups to executive leaders at Fortune 500 Companies. Leslie is committed to enhancing her local community and co-created and launched The Makers Place™ with her husband. As the regions first coworking space with onsite childcare, this innovative multi-use space supports parents who need a professional workspace along with flexible childcare options. She also currently works as the Director and Site Supervisor of Mini Makers™ Preschool. Leslie has also served locally on the leadership team for TEDxSacramento as the Event Coordinator and volunteered as a coach for emerging female leaders through The Women's Impact Alliance (formerly The Coaching Fellowship). As a two-time UCLA alumna, Leslie graduated with her Bachelor’s in Mass Communications (B.A.) and a Master's of Education (M.Ed.). She is also trained as a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC) through The Co-Active Training Institute, international leaders in Coach Training and Leadership Development. Before becoming a Professional Coach, Leslie worked at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where she taught leadership and diversity classes as well as ran a campus-wide Leadership Certificate Program for over 500 students, faculty, and staff members. She also has worked professionally in residential life and academic research at UCLA and in Public Affairs at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory under the U.S. Department of Energy. Leslie loves to travel and explore new places and has visited over 30 countries, including living abroad in the Middle East for a year where she volunteered at local schools in Amman, Jordan with her husband. She is an avid artist and creative who also enjoys karaoke, cooking ethnic food, supporting local coffee shops, and practicing yoga. Leslie is a novice pickleball player and an expert bargain shopper! She lives in Northern California with her husband and three young children, and travels internationally for coaching, organizational trainings, and retreat facilitation.