Ever finish a long week, month, or quarter and feel like you didn’t achieve enough? Even when you know you’ve been working hard, your brain loves to zero in on what’s missing instead of what’s working.
Here’s the truth: you’re accomplishing far more than you give yourself credit for. The problem? You’re not tracking those wins in a way that sticks.
Enter the “Memory Jar” technique—a simple, tangible practice to record and reflect on your accomplishments. It’s not just about feeling good (though it does)—it’s about building momentum, confidence, and a stronger mindset for growth.
Ready to celebrate how far you’ve come? Let’s dive in.
Step 1: Set Up Your Memory Jar
This exercise is as simple as it sounds. All you need is:
- A jar or box: Something physical that you can see and touch. (Bonus points if you pick one that looks nice on your desk!)
- Sticky notes or small pieces of paper: You’ll use these to write down your accomplishments.
- A pen and a commitment: That’s it. You’re ready to go.
If you’re more of a digital person, don’t worry—you can adapt this with a Google Doc, Notion page, or even a “wins” folder in your notes app. But there’s something uniquely powerful about seeing your wins fill up a physical space over time.
Step 2: Define What Counts as an Accomplishment
Here’s where most people get stuck: they think accomplishments have to be big, flashy, or “worth bragging about.” Wrong. Wins come in all shapes and sizes, and tracking the small ones is just as important.
What counts?
- Big wins: Closing a major deal, hitting a revenue target, launching a new product.
- Small wins: Sending the email you were procrastinating on, finishing a tough conversation, completing the first step of a big project.
- Personal victories: Sticking to a new habit, prioritizing your health, or showing up as a better leader for your team.
Examples:
- “I had a tough client conversation today and handled it with confidence.”
- “I finally finished that proposal I’d been avoiding.”
- “I celebrated a team member’s success and strengthened trust.”
Pro Tip: If it made you feel proud, relieved, or energized—it counts.
Step 3: Write It Down (Daily or Weekly)
Every time you achieve something, big or small, take 30 seconds to write it down on a sticky note and drop it into your jar.
Here’s the magic:
- Be specific: Don’t just write, “I did well today.” Instead, write: “I closed the Smith deal after weeks of negotiation. Huge milestone!”
- Capture the feeling: Add a sentence about how it made you feel. Example: “This reminded me how capable I am under pressure.”
You can do this daily (as part of your evening reflection) or weekly (as a Sunday ritual). The key is consistency—celebrating small wins consistently builds momentum.
Step 4: Make Reflection a Habit
At the end of every month, quarter, or year, open your jar and read through your accomplishments. Take time to:
- Celebrate how far you’ve come: Look at everything you’ve achieved. What patterns do you notice?
- Reflect on your progress: Which wins were most meaningful to you? What strengths did you lean on to make them happen?
- Set intentions for the next chapter: Use this reflection to build momentum and clarity for what’s next.
The simple act of seeing your accomplishments builds confidence and rewires your brain to focus on progress instead of gaps.
Why This Works
- It Combats “Negativity Bias”: Your brain naturally fixates on what went wrong instead of what went right. The Memory Jar flips that bias by creating a record of your progress.
- It Builds Motivation: Small wins add up. When you see evidence of your success, you feel energized to keep going.
- It Reframes Your Story: Instead of feeling “stuck” or “behind,” you see proof that you’re moving forward—step by step.
Over time, the Memory Jar becomes a visual reminder of your resilience, growth, and capability. It’s hard to doubt yourself when you have a jar full of evidence that you’re making it happen.
Step 5: Share Your Wins
Celebrating accomplishments doesn’t have to be a solo activity. Share some of your wins with your team, peers, or mentors. For example:
- Weekly Team Check-In: “Let’s share one win—big or small—from this week. What went well?”
- Mentor Conversations: “Here’s what I’m proud of achieving this month.”
- Personal Reflections: Share your top 3 wins with a close friend or family member.
Sharing wins creates a culture of positivity, accountability, and momentum.
Pro Tip: If you’re leading a team, encourage everyone to start their own Memory Jar. Seeing progress boosts morale and fosters a winning mindset.
Your Action Step for Today
- Grab a jar, box, or notebook—something to collect your wins.
- Write down your first accomplishment from today. Big or small, it doesn’t matter. Example: “I led a productive team meeting and got alignment on our next steps.”
- Drop it in the jar.
That’s it. One note at a time, you’re building a habit of recognizing progress and celebrating yourself.
What’s Next?
The Memory Jar isn’t just a feel-good tool—it’s a mindset shift. When you train yourself to see and celebrate progress, you fuel confidence, resilience, and growth.
What’s one win—big or small—you’re putting in your “Memory Jar” today?