In 1991 and ’92, after 17 years of marriage, Kathi and I built the first house we had ever owned. It took about eight months from the pouring of the basement to moving in. We acted as the general contractors—not because it appealed to us but because of our financial situation. Kathi’s dad was the brains. I was the brawn. Kathi was the “go-fer” and painter and designer and wore several other hats along the way.   Our kids pitched in and the people of our church helped continually as individuals or couples or whole work teams came out to help us in the work. Friends heard of the project and traveled in from out of town to work. We borrowed money from friends for the construction phase of the project. (That worked out great but I shudder today to think of what could have gone wrong with that piece of the project!)

 

It was a wonderful process and I am very glad we did it. At least now I am glad we did it. There were days during the project when I considered us to be both stupid and insane. The outcome was wonderful—a very nice home on 17 acres west of town. It was a starter home to most other couples and a dream home to us.

 

After we decided to build the home and before we started the actual building process Kathi and I made a commitment that each one of us would do something every day—maybe big or maybe very small—to move the project forward. Every day. We largely kept our commitment to each other and that was a major part of the success of the project. 

 

Additionally, throughout that process, we encouraged each other by celebrating the small steps forward—the little “wins.” For example: We finished the sub-floor today. The trusses were delivered today. We solved the pantry problem today. We textured the great room ceiling today. A work team shingled the entire house today. We painted two bedrooms today. We passed the framing inspection today. 

 

As each little piece of progress happened we would review those wins and remind each other that we were getting there and take courage for the huge amount of work that remained.

 

Someone once said that “progress has very little to do with speed and everything to do with direction.” This idea has helped me a great deal in the many massive projects of my life that always (let me repeat “always”) move more slowly than I want them to move and more slowly than I thought they would move. I have been able to find both courage and motivation for the various battles of life through celebrating the small “wins” along the path. When I am able to see that I am going the right direction—even though the speed may be painfully slow—I have renewed desire to diligently battle the challenge I am facing.

 

In my judgment we can all gain some motivation from noting and celebrating the little, consistent “wins.” For example: I lost a pound this week. My debt is $374 less this month. I have cleaned one shelf in my garage. We finally met our new neighbors. Our son said he really liked church today. We are 5 switchbacks higher than when we stopped to rest last time. I sorted one more box in my closet. I hauled one more box to Cypress Assistance Ministries. I got the window motor fixed on my car this week. I sat down to read the Word three times this past week. I finished one more semester of college. I wrote 3 of my 18 thank you notes. 

 

Recognizing and celebrating small wins in the various self-control fights of our lives gives both motivation and courage for the ongoing fight. The assurance that we are getting somewhere—even if slowly—is a major help in our willingness to continue investing effort in a given fight. Are you noting and celebrating your small wins or are you just despairing at how much is yet to be won?

 

For me, being a visual person, a visual chart or progress report of some sort is always encouraging. (I understand this may not be motivational to you.) I will put up a list of things that need to be done to finish the footlocker I am building for my granddaughter for Christmas. As I finish a step and cross it off I can see the progress and it helps. I can go to bed without the footlocker any where near finished but knowing that I pushed it a little forward in that day.