Very often in life it can feel like it’s each man for him-self. It is almost as though in order to get ahead you need to make sure everyone else doesn’t. It’s you against the world, or so it seems, but what if that’s not the case? What if we took more time to celebrate the success of those around us, putting aside any competition? Hopefully you have learnt that comparison is a destroyer of joy, but how about taking it one step further? How about getting excited when someone else does well? Even if you don’t directly benefit from their success.

Feel good factor

I love watching The Voice TV show. People who know me won’t be surprised because I’m passionate about singing. However, there’s more to my enthusiasm than just that. If you’ve not seen the show, the idea is that singers perform for four coaches who can’t see the stage, they can only hear the singer. If the coach likes what they hear, they get to pick that performer to join their team. That singer then progresses to the next round. It’s very exciting and nerve-racking all at the same time.   I have to be honest, I get emotional every single time a coach turns around. I’m silly like that, but what get’s me really teary is seeing the friends and family of the performers, standing backstage, willing someone to turn around for their friend. The raw emotion and complete joy when their loved one secures a place in the next round is truly wonderful.

Leading the cheer

Being able to cheer someone on and celebrate that person’s victories is a privilege. Many times we may feel that their success somehow threatens our own chances of achieving great things but in reality, the opposite it true. Celebrating someone else’s promotion, the realization of their dream or some other recognition of a job well done adds to your life in ways that may not be immediately apparent.

  • Being genuinely pleased when someone else does well gives you more opportunity to be happy. You may have little to celebrate personally, but you can still be pleased for someone else.
  • If you can encourage another person to achieve their dreams and goals, chances are that when it’s your turn, they will be celebrating the success you have achieved.
  • While you are cheering on someone who is doing a good job, you have the opportunity to learn and grow by watching what they do.
  • The person you are cheering for may just be inspired to celebrate someone else’s success. By being generous with your enthusiasm for others you can, in some small way, make the world a better place.

Room enough for everyone

Our inability to celebrate others normally comes from a place of insecurity. Somewhere along the line we’ve been told that if another person does well, their success detracts from our own opportunities to succeed. This mindset robs us of the chance to be connected to those around us, to share happy occasions and to be better people. So don’t be afraid to celebrate with those who are celebrating, in fact, be the person cheering the loudest!