When it comes to growth, we often focus on fixing what’s wrong. But Positive Psychology teaches us that we can learn just as much—if not more—by reflecting on our successes. Your wins aren’t just moments to celebrate; they’re lessons waiting to be unpacked.
The Secret Power of Success
Science shows that our brains learn more effectively from success than failure. Positive outcomes reinforce the behaviors that created them, giving us a roadmap to repeat and scale those efforts. But to unlock this potential, we need to pause and reflect.
Take Stephanie, a senior leader, who struggled to connect with her team. She was known for being laser-focused on results, often at the expense of relationships. During a coaching session, we explored what was working in her interactions with senior leadership. Stephanie realized that with executives, she naturally showed appreciation for their ideas and collaborated with them on solutions. Why? Because she viewed them as peers. Once she recognized this strength, she applied the same approach with her team. The result? Stronger relationships, better team morale, and even higher performance.
By learning from what she was already doing well, Stephanie unlocked a blueprint for success that transformed her leadership style.
How to Learn From Success
Start with a few simple questions:
- What worked?
- Why did it work?
- How can I do more of it?
This intentional reflection builds confidence, fosters growth, and gives you a repeatable playbook for success.
Celebrate, Reflect, Repeat
Success isn’t just a finish line—it’s a stepping stone. The next time something goes well, pause and ask: What can I learn from this? Then celebrate it, reflect on it, and carry those lessons forward.
What’s a recent win you’ve had? What can you learn from it?