What If You Didn’t Have to Wait to Feel Successful?

Have you ever caught yourself pushing relentlessly towards a big goal, believing that I will be happy and celebrate once I reach the finish line? But in the process, we burn out. And when we feel this pain, we convince ourselves--I just need more grit! 

But what if we let ourselves feel joy, accomplishment, and success along the way instead of waiting for the finish line?

I’m not much for New Year’s resolutions. Instead, each January, I choose a keystone habit—a foundational change that, when made, triggers a domino effect of positive transformation in life. Common keystone habits revolve around health and wellness, like moving your body for 30 minutes a day. This small commitment can lead to better cardiovascular health, muscle strength, improved mood, and higher energy levels. See the domino effect?

For 2025, I chose to live in the gain versus the gap—to rein in my hyper-achiever mindset and focus on what I have accomplished rather than obsessing over all the steps still ahead. 

How to Shift Your Perspective and Live in the Gain
If you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed in your career transition, consider shifting from a gap mindset (focusing on what’s missing) to a gain mindset (celebrating what you’ve already achieved).

Here’s how:
Start Each Day by Noticing Small Wins
Instead of measuring success only by landing the job, track daily progress: Did you refine your resume? Reach out to a new contact? Learn something new? Small steps add up.
Journal Your Achievements
At the end of the day, write down three things you accomplished. This builds momentum and reminds you of how far you’ve come.
Reframe Setbacks as Learning Opportunities
Didn’t get the second interview? Instead of spiraling, ask: What did I learn? How can I improve? Every “no” is a step toward the right “yes.”
Celebrate the Process, Not Just the Outcome
Recognize that you are doing hard things everyday. Making a tough call, showing up for a networking event, working on the job hunt and stepping outside your comfort zone. All of these things deserve to be celebrated. 

Real-Life Example: How Living in the Gain Transformed a Job Search

Sarah, a mid-career professional transitioning from corporate management to nonprofit leadership, was stuck in a cycle of frustration and self-doubt. “I am too old to be completely shifting industries.” “I am not good enough to be a leader.” “Why would they choose me over someone with a nonprofit background?”  Sarah had already done the visioning work and taken the bold step to declare that she was ready for a change. Now how to orchestrate the transformation? Each day instead of dwelling on being ghosted or not landing interviews at all, she shifted her focus to daily achievements, and everything changed. She started tracking her accomplishments—writing strong cover letters, having meaningful conversations, and learning about the nonprofit sector. She celebrated small wins, like a recruiter responding to her message or feeling more confident in an interview. This shift helped her stay motivated and resilient. Conversations flowed as her confidence grew. 

And when a conversation led to her dream role, she was able to start feeling rejuvenated with a positive mindset, because throughout the process she had grown, learned, and built relationships that would serve her far beyond this one job.


Whether you’re changing careers, starting a business, or working toward any big goal, don’t wait until the finish line to feel accomplished. Allowing yourself to celebrate the wins along the way will create emotions that fuel you rather than break you. Not only would you reach your goals in a healthier way, but you will also be creating more of the feelings that you actually want in your life.

So, what have you achieved today?

Seeking inspiration and a clear path forward in your career pivot? Schedule your free career exploration call and gain clarity and confidence to take that next step: https://calendly.com/mariadastur/30-minute-exploration-session