Welcome to Cindy de Mayo—my favorite time of year! (Yes, it’s my birthday month, and yes, I’ll be celebrating all month long. Life’s too short to downplay the good stuff!)
But here’s the bigger picture: if you’re not celebrating yourself, how can you expect anyone else to?
Whether it’s a birthday, a big win at work, or just the fact that you made it through another week without throwing your laptop out the window—you deserve to take a victory lap.
That said, success isn’t just about pushing forward 24/7. The real magic happens when you know when to reflect and celebrate, when to hit pause and when to hit GO. Knowing when to rest and when to rise is what sets truly successful people apart from those who are just… well, surviving.
So, let’s talk about it.
Step One: Celebrate Yourself Like You Mean It (not just during Cindy de Mayo)
Okay, let’s get real for a second. When was the last time you actually celebrated YOU? Not just the big wins—the promotions, the birthday milestones, the massive achievements. I mean the small wins, the everyday victories, the things that no one else sees but, you know, took effort.
If you’re waiting for someone else to throw you a parade, you might be waiting forever. So why not be your own biggest cheerleader?
Why Celebrating Yourself Matters:
- It builds confidence. When you acknowledge your progress, you feel capable.
- It rewires your brain for success. The more you celebrate, the more you associate achievement with joy, not just relief.
- It prevents burnout. When you stop to recognize your wins, you refuel instead of running on empty.
How to Celebrate YOU (Without Feeling Weird About It):
- Keep a Win List. Every time you do something awesome (big or small), write it down.
- Create a Celebration Ritual. Maybe it’s a Friday happy dance, a fancy coffee, or blasting your “Victory” playlist.
- Talk Yourself Up. If a friend accomplished what you did, you’d hype them up, right? Give yourself the same energy.
- Reward Progress, Not Just Perfection. Even if you didn’t finish the project, did you move it forward? That’s a win.
Bottom line: Stop waiting for permission to be proud of yourself. You’ve earned it.
Step two: Sell Yourself on Taking a Break
We’ve all been there. You’re running on fumes, your coffee intake is at “questionable health choices” level, and even the things you love feel like a chore. Your brain is fried, but instead of fixing it, you binge-watch a show you don’t even like (why do we do this?!).
That’s your brain waving a giant STOP sign.
Hustle culture lied to us. Burnout isn’t a badge of honor—it’s your body saying, “Hey, I need a second.” And if you don’t respect your own limits, no one else will either.
How to Know It’s Time to Hit Pause:
✔ Your motivation has left the chat.
✔ You’re snapping at people (even your barista, and that’s when you know it’s bad).
✔ You’re working harder but getting less done.
✔ You keep saying, “I’ll slow down after [insert never-ending list of tasks here].”
Truth bomb: Rest isn’t a luxury—it’s fuel.
Think about it:
- ROI of Rest: You come back sharper, stronger, and ready to WIN.
- Preventative Maintenance: If you wouldn’t drive your car without an oil change, why are you running on empty?
- Fresh Perspective: Step away, and suddenly, the solution was there the whole time.
So, book the spa day. Take the nap. Play hooky and go outside. Your future self will thank you.
Step Three: Step It Up When It Counts
Okay, now for the flip side. There are also moments when life is handing you the mic—and it’s time to step up.
You’ve rested. You’ve reset. Now? It’s GO time.
Signs It’s Time to Put the Pedal Down:
✔ You feel energized and focused.
✔ A big opportunity is staring you in the face.
✔ Your creativity is buzzing, and you can’t stop thinking about your next move.
✔ The window to make an impact is NOW.
This is when the hustle matters. Not when you’re barely holding it together, but when you can go ALL IN without wrecking yourself.
The most successful people aren’t the ones going 100mph all the time. They’re the ones who know when to sprint and when to recharge.
How celebration, Rest (or Lack of It) and hustle Shape You
Here’s the truth: People are always reacting to your brand – what you’re putting out there for people to see.
If you’re focused, present, and confident, that’s what people feel.
If you’re stressed, exhausted, and “too busy,” that’s what people remember.
And let’s be real—who would you rather spend time with?
Some of the very things we think make us successful—like always saying yes, overloading our schedule, and pushing through at all costs—can actually hurt our relationships.
Being overworked doesn’t scream “leader” or “go-getter.” It screams, “burnout waiting to happen.”
Your colleagues notice. Your boss notices. Your friends notice. And guess what? They remember how you show up.
So, if you need to step back to step forward, DO IT. That’s not weakness. That’s wisdom.
This month, take a page from my playbook:
- Celebrate every single win—big or small.
- Pause when you need to.
- Hustle when the moment is right.
And hey—don’t forget the birthday cake. It’s Cindy de Mayo, after all. Now go throw yourself a party. You deserve it.